Can You Solve These Common Problems?

Gutters, which carry rainwater from the roof to the ground so that it doesn’t pool up and cause damage, can often leak when they are clogged with leaves and other debris. An easy fix is to use a ladder to check for debris and remove it.

If you have trouble keeping up with watering your vegetable garden, you could try installing a drip irrigation system. Such a system can be rather complicated, but it can also be as simple as a set of hoses that attach to your water spigot. The system can be programmed to water at a specific time.

When a dishwasher no longer properly washes the food off dishes, it may be a problem with a clogged spray arm, filter or float. To clean the spray arm, you’ll need to first remove it, then soak it in a solution of hot water and vinegar. If needed, use a toothbrush and/or tweezers to remove any debris that doesn’t loosen.

When a smoke detector alarm is going off, you can usually stop the loud alert by simply pushing the button facing downward on the device. While it may sound again, especially if there’s still smoke, this is easier than dismantling the device. Of course, if there's an actual fire, put it out or call 911.

If the anticipation of tidy company makes you notice the flaws on your walls, you can fairly easily clean marks off. Mix a solution of 50/50 vinegar and water, and apply it to the walls with a sponge. Scrub lightly and rinse with water. Test this method on a small, out-of-the-way spot first!

While telling some well-behaved dogs “No!” may solve the problem, most dogs with this habit will need more of a deterrent. Applying something that will taste bad and won’t harm animals or furniture, like a mix of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar, works well to stop the chewing.

To silence a squeaky hinge, you can also use any number of lubricants that you might have on hand. Olive oil is one option — apply a small amount at the top of the hinge, let gravity do its work, then wipe away the excess. Bar soap or petroleum jelly can also be used as lubricants.

Low pressure in a shower head may be caused by mineral deposits in the holes of the shower head. To clean it, remove the shower head and soak it in vinegar for at least eight hours. Scrub off any debris, then try to remove stuck debris with tweezers or a toothpick.

When weeds continually rise up in the garden, you’ll initially need to pull them out by the roots to get them under control. After that, you can control the emergence of more weeds by applying a layer of mulch over the surface.

While most people these days take their car to a professional for an oil change, it’s a relatively easy project to do yourself, if you're handy. The job requires you to find the oil pan and drain plug, drain the old oil from the pan and the filter into a container, install a new filter, and add clean oil.

Not having your license plate illuminated can sometimes earn you a ticket, so it’s important to replace a bulb that goes out. To do so, simply remove the locking cap by unscrewing it, then unscrew the bulb a quarter turn and replace it with a new bulb.

In very warm climates, your bottled water won't stay cold for long. For an easy fix, fill your bottle halfway and freeze it. When you're ready to go on a run or a bike ride, you can fill the rest with cold water. The ice will slowly melt and give you cool water as you go.

A simple solution for keeping rabbits from nibbling up your tender greens is to cage them with chicken wire. To protect seedlings from cutworms, place a tin can collar around each baby plant, embedded at least one inch deep.

When a tile is broken, you can replace it without having to replace the whole floor or call someone in. You’ll need to cut out the tile with an angle grinder, place a new tile in, and secure it with tile adhesive and grout.

Copper pans can be beautiful in the kitchen, but they tarnish, and this doesn’t come off with soap and water. A mixture of salt and vinegar, combined with a sponge and some elbow grease, will make your copper shine again.

Sometimes a door will not stay in place and swings open or closed. To remedy this, you can remove the middle hinge pin, bend it slightly, then tap it back into place with a hammer. This will give your hinge the needed extra friction to remain in place.

Over time, grout between tiles will stain, due to spills, mildew and plain old dirt. Start cleaning with a mild scrub of water with vinegar and baking soda. For more stubborn stains, try grout cleaner or bleach.

Cracks in walls can have a range of causes, from minor to severe. Minor cracks, such as those caused by repeated door slamming, may be addressed by filling the crack with a surface filler and then painting over it.

While one solution could be to turn the oven down 10 degrees, a more permanent solution would be to get an oven thermometer and check to see if the oven needs to be recalibrated. This can be done at home and can save you the price of a new oven.

When the fabric of your dining chairs has become soiled or worn, you can recover them with new fabric. You’ll need to remove the seat, likely by unscrewing it, and then remove the staples securing the old fabric. Measure the chair and cut new fabric, allowing enough extra for the fabric to fold over onto the back. Then, pull it tight and staple it securely.

When brownies come out dry at the edges and mushy in the middle, it’s likely because you're baking them at too high a temperature. Turning down the oven and letting the brownies bake a bit longer can give you more evenly moist brownies. Be sure to check them often, so they don’t dry out!

The large holes left by removed outlets can be quite an eyesore. They can be fairly easily remedied by cutting out a piece of drywall the same size as the hole, fitting it in the hole and securing it with spackle. This method of repair is often called the “California patch.”

Aphids afflict gardens across all gardening zones in the United States. While an insecticide spray would eliminate aphids, it could also affect helpful insects. A natural alternative is to attract ladybugs to the garden to eat the aphids. Another option is to sprinkle the plants with flour.

While cutting onion doesn’t drive everyone to tears, for some it can cause aggravating pain. One way to prevent the chemical irritant from burning your eyes is to cut the onion beneath an active fan, so the fan can suck up the chemicals before they reach your eyes. Also try cutting the onion near an open flame or wearing glasses while chopping.

While some walls may not need to be washed prior to painting, kitchen walls definitely need to have the grime scrubbed off. Wash them with a sponge and warm, soapy water. Be careful not to scrub too hard or to get the walls too wet, as this can damage the walls.

For bread to rise effectively, it needs a warm environment. If your kitchen is cool, try warming the oven slightly, then letting the bread rise in the warmth. Also ensure that your yeast is not old and that you haven't added too much salt to the dough.

A highly effective method for freshening a urine-stained mattress is to clean the affected area with a carpet cleaner designed for pet stains. The carpet cleaner will draw out both the stain and the odor.

While meat and veggies may turn out soft and grey because the heat is too low, the more common issue is overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding prevents moisture from escaping while food cooks, and this moisture prevents the food from browning.

While lemons and ice can help for a short-term fix, a garbage disposal needs to have the spray guard thoroughly cleaned from time to time, as food residue sticks to it and decays. Disconnect power to the disposal before scrubbing the rubber flaps with a toothbrush. Pouring straight bleach down a disposal is corrosive and not recommended.

If your toilet tank has a fast leak, you may be able to tell by any of the above methods, but with a slower leak, the best way to be sure is by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If the tank is leaking, the color will appear in the toilet bowl.

While many people react to a burn by placing the wound under cold water or even applying an ice compress, cool water is actually better for soothing the burn without doing further damage. Afterward, apply aloe vera lotion and a sterile bandage. See a physician if the burn seems to become infected.

As a succulent, aloe vera does not need very much water. If you overwater it, the leaves can begin to turn brown. Only water an aloe plant about every three weeks, making sure that the soil dries one to two inches down between waterings.

Yogurt cultures need a warm environment, between 110 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to be active enough to make yogurt. If the temperature is not warm enough or gets too hot, the milk will remain milk and not become yogurt.

Condensation can occur when warm and humid interior air hits a cold window, forming dew. Using a dehumidifier or placing a tray of rice and salt in the room can help control moisture in the short term, but for a long term solution, you’ll need to apply a breathable waterproof coating to the window.

A smelly fridge could simply be caused by spoiled food, in which case the problem can be remedied by removing the odor-causing item and cleaning the refrigerator interior. Verify that the refrigerator is operating at the proper temperature, between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit, or you'll continue to find spoiled items and risk illness.